Worth B. McNeel, 90

August 4, 2011

Worth B. McNeel, 90, a longtime resident of Blackfoot, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2011 in Pocatello.
He was born in Afton, Wyo., on Feb. 19, 1921, to Wallace Granville McNeel and Mary Barber McNeel. He was the oldest of four children. He had two sisters, Clara (Blaine) Linford and Madeline (Frank) Hoopes and a brother, George (Vernice) McNeel.
At the age of six he started school at the Etna, Wyo., Grade School. He went on to the Star Valley High School in Afton, Wyo. He graduated in June 1940.
They lived on a farm in Star Valley, Wyo. During this time he learned the value of work and this became a valuable asset in his life. He liked fishing and hunting, and especially spending time with his grandfathers.
In September of 1940 he went to Utah State Agricultural College in Logan, Utah, to pursue a degree in General Agriculture.
The war broke out in 1941 in the Pacific. He joined the Enlisted Reserve Corps at Utah State University and went on into his junior year, completing all of it with the exception of the spring quarter at which time he was called to active duty in the Untied States Army. He reported for duty in early April of 1943 in Fort Douglas, Utah. A group from Utah State all went in and trained together at Camp Callen, Calif., for a 12-week training in anti-aircraft artillery. From there he went to Fort Bliss, Texas. In January 1944 he went to Oahu, Hawaii, and landed at Pearl Harbor. This was the beginning of service in the Philippines, Okinawa and Korea. He was honorably discharged Jan. 6, 1946.
He returned to college in the spring quarter at Utah State. He was active in the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He graduated with his bachelors degree in General Agriculture on June 7, 1947.
On June 9, 1947, two days after graduation he married Joan McQueen in the Logan LDS Temple.
After graduation he found a job teaching Veterans Farm Training in Malad. On Feb. 1, 1948, he started teaching in Grace as a veterans' vocational qgriculture Instructor. During this time he also drove school bus, did butterfat tests at two cheese factories and some insemination work.
On July 1, 1952 he got a job with the Idaho Department of Agriculture as a dairy inspector and served in that capacity for 34 years and drove over a million miles. After his retirement he enjoyed his 2 Â˝ acres, his beautiful garden, sharing with neighbors and friends. He also was in the Idaho National Guard.
He enjoyed his â€śother placeâ€ť on Lansing. He raised a garden, cows, chickens, pigs and ducks. This was one of his favorite pastimes.
He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his favorite calling was as a home teacher. He was a member of the Blackfoot 9th Ward and a High Priest.
He is survived by his wife, Joan; children, Mary Lu (Mike) Virtue of Blackfoot; John McNeel of Las Alamos, New Mexico; Patsy (Scott) Hays of Blackfoot; Annette (Joe) Bergeman of Boise; Leah (Platt) Lyman of Blackfoot; Suzanne (Jeff) Stoddard of Idaho Falls; and Wallace (Suzanne) McNeel of Blackfoot. He has 20 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Clara Linford and George McNeel.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011, at Hawker Funeral Home, 132 South Shilling Avenue in Blackfoot. Family will meet with friends and relatives from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. prior to services on Saturday. Interment will follow at the Grove City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at condolences@hawkerfuneralhome.com.In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to the City of Blackfoot, American Flag Fund, 157 N. Broadway, Blackfoot, Idaho 83221 in his memory.